Lands



P. 0. ROWLANDS.

APPARATUS FOR VAPORIZING uvonocmaous.

APPLICKHON FILED MAY 28 1919- RBiSSllBd July 12, 1921. I v 15,153.

3 SHEETS-SHEET MAE 1'0 pa-zowlanda.

P. 0. ROWLANDS. Y APPARATUS FOR VAPORIZING HYDROCARBONS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY ZB, 1919.

15,153. 3 SHEETS-SHET 3.

110a July 12, 1921.

Boise P0- Eon lands UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

APPARATUS FOR VAPORIZIN G HYDBOCARBON S.

Specification of Reissued Letters Patent. Reissued J l 2 1 Original No.1,252,955, dated January 8, 1918, Serial No. 158,947, filed March 31,1917. Application for reissue filed May 28, 1919.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PERCY OGTAVIUS Row- LANDS, a subject of the King ofEngland, residin at Liverpool, in the county of Lancaster, lingland,have invented new and useful. Improvements in Apparatus for Vapor izingHydrocarbons, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has'reference to the vaporization of liquid hydrocarbonand more particularly such as have a greater specific gravity than aspirit, as petrol, alcohol, or the like-for use primarily as apower-fuel in internal combustion engines; and to vaporizing apparatusused on such engines therefor. I

The object of the invention is, mainly to render the use of hydro-carbonliquids of the character referred to, for producing power in motors ofself-propelled vehicles or navigable vessels (or under analogousconditions) free of difiiculties or draw-backs such as at present existin connection with its use in such motors; and also to render its usegenerally more convenient and advantageous; but at the same time it isto be understood that the manner of effecting vaporization of suchliquid hydro-carbons, and the apparatus employed as hereinafterdescribed, can be used with advantage in connection with stationaryinternal combustion en ines.

Tn carrying out this invention, the vaporization of liquid h dro-carbonof the character of mineral oil such as kerosene (and which forconvenience hereafter will be des-' ignited kerosene) is efiected byheat generated by the slow and requlated combustion of solid fuel-such,for instance, as charcoal, anthracite, or cokewithin a chamber orreceptacle into which and through which the kerosene is conducted byducts, say of coil, zig-za ,or other suitable form, the heat roducebeing transmitted to the kerosene t rough the wall of the duct or ducts,and the fuel or its products of combustion are not necessarily broughtinto contact withv the kerosene.

The invention consists therefore, in an internal combustion engine,'inwhich a hydro-carbon liquid fuel of the character described is employed,of efl'ecting its conversion to vapor, in a vaporizing appliance orapparatus combined or connected with the {$5 engine or motor, by heatingit by the com- Serial No. 300,447.

coming in direct contact with the solid fuel or the products ofcombustion thereof.

The drawings which are used to illustrate this invention, show itsapplication to a common type of four cylinder oil en ine used onself-propelled vehicles, whic is assumed to be disposed at the fore partof the vehicle, and inclosed within a casing or bonnet, as usual.

In these drawings, Figure 1 is a longitudinal elevation, Fi 2 is an endview partly in section, and fig. 3 a plan showing the engine and itsvaporizer.

Referring to the drawings, 1 generally represents the engine or motor,and 10 the vaporizing apparatus, 2 is the paraflin sup ply regulatingdevice, say of the float type; 3 designates two air and vapor inletconduits to the engine, each of which has within it a throttle valve 4;5 is the vapor inlet controlled valve connected with the in let conduit3; and 6 is a conduit or pipe connecting the vaporizer with the conduit3 and en ine.

T is the bonnet within which the engine is disposed, and out of whichthe top of the vaporizer 10 projects.

The vaporizer chamber or apparatus in thecase shown, comprises anexternal chamher or. vessel 11 proper, an internal metal cylinder orliner 12, having within it the spiral kerosene conducting tube or way13, tothe upper end of which the parafiin from the supply controllingdevice 2 is delivered through the duct or port 14, which has upon it asupply regulating screw plug 15.

The duct or way 13, is open on the exterior of the cylinder 12 and hasa. metal covering sleeve 13; and between this sleeve and the interior ofthe vessel v11, an asbestos or other equivalent heat non-conducting wall16 is introduced, to prevent the heat'within the apparatus from passingto and escaping from 'the external yessel 11.

, Thelower end of the'conduit 13 is connected to the vapor supply pipes6 b an annular port 18 in the lower part 0 the lining or cylinder 12,with which' the conduit 13 communicates; The upper end of the PQr isclos 1 by a cover 19 adapted to be readily placed in position andremoved. In the construction shown, it is hinged at 20, so that it canbe swung on the hinge out of place, so as to expose the interior of'thefurnace vessel 12. When in place over the vessel 12, the cover may 'beheld in place-by any convenient means.

In the cover 19, is an opening 21 for the discharge of gases ofcombustion from the solid fuel; and upon it there is a gas dis chargeregulating device 22, adapted to screw :up and down on a pin 23; andaccording to its adjustment so will be the area between the device 22and the discharge lip of the apertures 21; and so the ratezot combustionof the solid fuel, and the temperature of the furnace or fire iscontrolled or re ulated.

.Fhe bottom of the vaporizer vessel 11 has a lar e openingin it, as seenin Fig. 2; and the gurnace and vaporizing cylinder 12 rests on an.annular ledge provided with an asbestos joint of this vessel 11, theinner edge of which forms the opening;- and at the-bottom of thecylinder 12 there is a perforated grid or grate 24, suitably sup ported,upon which the solid fuel in the cylinder 12 rests and burns;

The lower portion of the vessel 11 extends down in the form 01": a chute25; and the lower end of this chute is closed by a-conical closing plug26, normally pressed upward by a spring 27, which acts on the head ofthe rod 28, and normally keeps the cone on its'seat. No :air enters thechute 25 below,

but-air is admitted to the furnace and fuel through a hole orxholes 30,near the grate 24L; and this air is the quantity neressary i'orretaining the fuel in the cylinder 12 at the degree of temperaturerequired; its control or regulation being effected by the dischargedevice 22, as above stated. Thus an exact regulation of the rate ofcombustion, and

temperature oat furnace is complete, and.

readily efi'e'cted.

The device 22 being on the topof the apparatus, access can be readilyhad to it.

It is to be noted also that the whole vaporizing: apparatus or meansitself is mounted on the top of the engine it, by feet 31 on thechuteportion 25 of the apparatus.

, In the construction of vaporizer shown, escape or relief of Vaporsfrom difiierent parts of the length of the vaporizing duct l'fl'isrendered possible and provided for; so that the-vapor generated at onepart, 'say, the'upper part, is not compelled to pass throu h the wholeof'the duct. This is etfecte by providin at a plurality of points aroundthe cylin er 12, vertical passages 33-closed at their upper end by plugs32- which communicate with the annular port 18, and with the conduit 13by holes 34 pro v i-d etin er a s al ng the conduit, as in the mannershown. By this means the vapor from the kerosene flowing through theconduit 13, soon after it is vaporized and has passed through a certainlength of the con-- duit 13, and is in a sufiiciently stable condition,can pass directly away to the engine, and does not act upon or interferewith the kerosene and vapor in the succeeding reaches of the conduit 13.

In the case shown, there are assumed to be four cylinders to the motor,and they are supplied with vapor from the apparatus in pairs; namely,for the four cylinders there is one vaporizingapparatus and two vaporsupply pipes 6, and two air and vapor supply valvular devices 35connected with them. w 1

By such an arrangement, one vaporizing apparatus suflices to supply fourcylinders of an'engine without" the liability of the vapor coolingmaterially and condensing back to the liquid condition, although itmayin part condense to the fog state, which does not matter. 1 J

Regarding this air device 35, it consists of a circularly movableperforated or grid disk 36 littin-g in a casing and seat 37 which issimilarly perforated and the apertures of which surround the dischargeaperture on which the vapor supply valve 5 is fitted and works. This airfor supporting the combustion of the vapor will .IIllX withthe vaporsand pass into the duct 3 to usual inlet valves of the engine; and theseports being close to engine cylinders, nomaterial condensationorliquefaction o-tthe kerosene vapors as will cause segregation of liquidin these parts andpassages willtalre place.

The valve 5 will be moved off its seatby the minus pressure created bythe charge introducing stroke of the piston; it being normally pressedonto its seat by a suitable light spring thus causing the valve 5 tooperate as an adjustable non-return valve.

f under some circumstances, any liquefied kerosene deposits in thechamber 35 surrounding the v-alve 5, it will be drained away by a pipe4L1, the upper end of which communicates with this chamber by a port 41'.

The disks 36 are adapted to be moved, and the air inlet openings in thecasing 37 (71')0H8Cl nio-reor less in consequence, by a bar i2, which isconnected to them by-1iiins l3, and which can be moved in one directionby a wire 44 or other connection from asuitable place of control oroperation; it being normally pulled and moved in "thcother direction bya spring 45. The limit of move ment by the spring, say fora maximum airopening,'-is effected by an adjustable screw 416 on the end of one ofthe escape ipe socket fittings of the pipes ll, against w ich the endofthe bar 42 touches when free; while when less air opening is required,the

bar will be moved away from this stop by the wire or connection 44. Thethrottle valves 4: likewise will be operated together by suitable means.

Any ash or residue of the fuel in the vaporizing apparatus 10 whichfalls into the hopper 25, will pass down into the lower vertical tubularpart of it, and can be discharged from it when desired by simplydepressing the upper end of the rod 28; it bemg closed afterward by thespring 27.

The exhaust chambers and passages of the cylinders are marked 8.

What is claimed is 1. In combination, a power driven body, an internalcombustion engine mounted on said body, a contain-er adapted to hold andburn solid fuel; a conduit or chamber heated by and surrounding saidcontainer, said conduit or chamber adapted to have introduced into ithydro-carbon liquid fuel and to vaporize said liquid fuel by heat ofcombustion of said solid fuel; and a conduit connecting said vaporizingconduit or chamber with the cylinder of the engine; substantially as setforth.

2. In combination, a power driven body, an internal combustion enginemounted on said body, a container adapted to hold and burn solid fuel; aconduit or chamber outside and in contact with the fuel in the containeradapted .to have introduced into it hydro-carbon liquid fuel; and aconduit connecting said conduit or chamber with the cylinder of theengine; substantially as set forth.

3. In combination, an internal combustion engine, a container adapted tohold and burn solid fuel, a conduit heated by said fuel and adapted tohave introduced there into hydrocarbon liquid fuel wh-ereby saidliquidfuel 'is vaporized in said conduit by the heat of combustion ofthe solid fuel, an annular port below said conduit and in communicationwith. the cylinder of the engine, and a passage communicating with saldport and having a plurality of communications with said conduit, wherebythe vaporized fuel may be led through said passage and annular port tothe engine cylinder from a plurality of points of said conduit.

4. In an internal combustion engine, a container adapted to hold andburn solid fuel; a metal. liner within the container, against the wallof which solid fuel rests, and having a conduit for vaporizing theliquid fuel formed in said liner and means for conducting the vaporized.fuel to the cylinclear of the engine; substantially as set forth.

5. In an internal combustion engine, a container adapted to hold andburn solid fuel; a. conduit in the container of continuous form, outsidethe fuel for vaporizing a h dro-carbon liquid, and havlng passages atvapors produced at different points of the conduit to the enginecylinder or cylinders direct; substantially as set forth.

6. In an internal combustion engine, a container adapted to hold andburn solid fuel; a conduit in the container of continuous form, outsidethe fuel for vaporizing a hydro-carbon liquid, and having passages atdifferent points of the same for passing the vapors produced atdifferent points of the conduit to the engine cylinder or cylindersdirect; and wherein the latter parts of the conduit are in communicationwith the earlier parts of same at different points of its length byports or passages; substantially as set forth.

7. In an internal combustion engine, the combination with the cylinderof a liquid fuel vaporizing appliance having an internal solid fuelcontaining chamber, a grate at the bottom of same, a, regulated gasdischarge opening, receiver for the solid burnt residue below the grate,an oil evaporating chamber or conduit, and vapor conduits leading fromthe lowest point'of the evaporating chamber and connected with the inletfor combustible fluid to the cylinders; substantially as set forth.

8. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a vaporizercomprising a cylinder having an open bottom, a valve for controlling theopening in the bottom, a valve in the top of the cylinder, a grate inthe open bottom, to receive fuel, a liner in the cylinder, said linerhaving a spiral groove on its outer surface which with the cylinderforms vaporizing conduit, means controlled by the engine for supplyingthe conduit with a regulatable supply of liquid fuel, ducts leading fromthe lower end of the conduit to the cylinders of the engine, andautomatic air inlet valves in said ducts.

9. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a vaporizercomprising a. cylinder, a grate in the bottom of the eyl inder to'support solid fuel, a liner in the cylinder and defining a solid fuelchamber, said liner having a spiral conduit therein and verticalpassages connected by ducts with the spiral conduit, means for admittinga regulatable supply of liquid fuel to the spiral conduit, a valve forcontrolling the gas escaping from the solid fuel. and ducts leading fromthe lower end of the spiral conduit to connect with the cylinders of theengine.

10. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a vaporizercomprising a container, a grate in the bottom of the container a linerwithin the container, said liner having on its outer surface a spiralgroove communicating with a passage at the bottom of the container, saidliner having vertical passages inside the vertical 95 a g m i t il-1,film? f assing the plane of the spiral groox re. and communieating Withthe passage in the bottom of the container, said-vertical passages beingconnected to the spiral groove by short ducts formed in the liner, anasbestos strip interposed between the liner and the container, means forsupplying a regulatable supply of liquid fuel to the upper end of thespiral groove,d.ucts leading from the passage at the bottom of thecontainer to the engine cylinders, and automatic valves in said ducts toadmit air to the vaporized mixture.

11. A hydro-carbon liquid fuel internal combustion engine comprising incombination an engine cylinder; a liquid fuel supply conduit; avaporizing apparatus adapted to be heated, and the liquid vaporized, bya source of heat other than that produced by the engine, and consistingof a container adapted to receive and hold solid fuel, and such fuel tobe burned by air therein; and a conduit in-said apparatus heated by theheat of combustion of the fuel, into which conduit the liquid isintroduced, and in which it is vaporized.

12. A hydro-carbon liquid fuel internal combustion engine comprising incombination an oil supply conduit, a vaporizing conduit down which theoil is adapted to flow without filling the same, and through which thegas vaporized therefrom is adapted to pass; a container adapted to holdand burn solid fuel. and to heat the said oil vaporizing conduit; anengine cylinder; and a conduit communicating With a lower portion of thesaid oil vaporizing conduit, and the said cylinder.

13. A liquid fuel boiling or evaporating apparatus for internalcombustion engines comprising a metal vessel adapted to receiveinternally solid fuel to burn same therein, an inclined conduit on theoutside of said vessel and heated by the heat of the combustion of thesolid fuel in the vessel, a duct on the outside of the vessel adapted todeliver liquid fuel on to the upper surface of the upper part of theinclined conduit, and means for supplying a fluid to the vaporized fluidconduit at a point removed from the point of introduction of the fuel tooutside of said vessel, heated by the heat of the combustion of thesolid fuel in the vessel, a duct on the outsideof the vessel adapted todeliver liquid fuel on to the upper surface of the upper part of theinclined conduit, and means for supplying liquid fuel to the vaporizedfluid conduit at a pointremoved from the point ofintroduction of thefuel to the surface of the conduit and a discharge conduit for mixedfluid and 'fuel vapor at the lower part of the inclined conduit downwardtoward which both the fluid and the vapor flow.

15. In combination, an internal combustion engine, a liquid fuel feedingdevice, an oil vaporizing apparatus belovv said device having avaporizing conduit adapted to be heated, said conduit being adapted toreceive hydro-carbon liquid fuel from the feeding device'and to. permitthe flow of said fuel in said conduit by gravity, a conduit extendingbetween the vaporizing conduit and the engine cylinder, a controllingdevice in said conduit, whereby the degree of vacuum Within thevaporizing conduit as produced by the suction of the engine iscontrolled, the vacuum thus produced acting upon the liquid fueli-n thefeeding device, whereby the quantity of fuel passing from the feeddevice into the vaporizing conduit is directly proportional to thedegree of vacuum produced 'by the engine between the controlling deviceand the vaporizing conduit.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of tWo subscribin Witnesses. i

PERCY OfiT-AVIUS ROWLANDS.

Witnesses:

SoMnRvrLLn GooDALL, Amen PERKINS.

